Need a ride?
A Vancouver man is dressing up like a rooster and driving around the city offering strangers free cab rides anywhere they want to go.
Kyle MacDonald, 34, offers rides in his Toyota Matrix on Craiglist and on Twitter at @YesFreeTaxi, according to CTV News. The project — and costume — are designed to draw attention to Vancouver's taxi situation, which he described to the outlet as absurd.
"I realized that people here aren't given very good options for on-demand public transit services such as taxis or ride share options that are newly emerging, like Uber, Lift," MacDonald says in a Vancouver Sun video.
"I hope to educate people. I hope to provide information so people can educate themselves on the topic and make their own conclusions."
Vancouver placed a six-month moratorium on new licenses in October, but it hasn't stopped popular ride-share app Uber from trying to gain local support with an online petition.
The company operated in the city for a brief period in 2012, but was shut down when B.C.'s Passenger Transportation Board forced a $75 minimum fare per trip.
Four taxi companies run in Vancouver (they recently filed a lawsuit to block Uber), a situation MacDonald told The Vancouver Sun is essentially a "monopoly" and "a cartel, actually, I'm not trying to exaggerate."
So he combats the industry's current state with Yes Free Taxi. And yes, people are really taking him up on rides:
Interestingly, this is the same Kyle MacDonald who made headlines back in 2005 for bartering his way from a red paperclip to a home in Saskatchewan, reports CTV News.
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With previous files
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A Vancouver man is dressing up like a rooster and driving around the city offering strangers free cab rides anywhere they want to go.
Kyle MacDonald, 34, offers rides in his Toyota Matrix on Craiglist and on Twitter at @YesFreeTaxi, according to CTV News. The project — and costume — are designed to draw attention to Vancouver's taxi situation, which he described to the outlet as absurd.
"I realized that people here aren't given very good options for on-demand public transit services such as taxis or ride share options that are newly emerging, like Uber, Lift," MacDonald says in a Vancouver Sun video.
"I hope to educate people. I hope to provide information so people can educate themselves on the topic and make their own conclusions."
Vancouver placed a six-month moratorium on new licenses in October, but it hasn't stopped popular ride-share app Uber from trying to gain local support with an online petition.
The company operated in the city for a brief period in 2012, but was shut down when B.C.'s Passenger Transportation Board forced a $75 minimum fare per trip.
Four taxi companies run in Vancouver (they recently filed a lawsuit to block Uber), a situation MacDonald told The Vancouver Sun is essentially a "monopoly" and "a cartel, actually, I'm not trying to exaggerate."
So he combats the industry's current state with Yes Free Taxi. And yes, people are really taking him up on rides:
RAD Free taxi ride today with @Blondtron and @waspybeats ! Who needs a lift Friday? #freetaxiyvr pic.twitter.com/brQO3eKDr9
— Yes Free Taxi (@YesFreeTaxi) November 14, 2014Scored @RussellAshton a ride to Coquitlam. Heading DT from Coq Centre at 3:00 who needs a lift ? pic.twitter.com/sbM7vPHm4w
— Yes Free Taxi (@YesFreeTaxi) November 14, 2014Say what? Awesome Friday night @33Acres beer gift from @FlitchMann !! #yum pic.twitter.com/YY7OxZZVQz
— Yes Free Taxi (@YesFreeTaxi) November 15, 2014Thanks for the Werthers Candy @ANotahChavez pic.twitter.com/PvmwjNPwAE
— Yes Free Taxi (@YesFreeTaxi) November 16, 2014Awesome rides with @DonovanSpeaks and @mackgord and @riccoricco ....and more ! #whosnext ??? pic.twitter.com/upt7Dmjxa0
— Yes Free Taxi (@YesFreeTaxi) November 16, 2014Helped @SheriffEarp move a chair !!! Read his blog !! #yesfreetaxi pic.twitter.com/SKQehjA16C
— Yes Free Taxi (@YesFreeTaxi) November 16, 2014We are at Commercial and Broadway. Who needs a free taxi ride to go vote, or anywhere ? #yesfreetaxi #vanpoli #bcpoli
— Yes Free Taxi (@YesFreeTaxi) November 15, 2014Interestingly, this is the same Kyle MacDonald who made headlines back in 2005 for bartering his way from a red paperclip to a home in Saskatchewan, reports CTV News.
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